Chapter 18, Ka-Ke, Near Hiroshima: April 1946 Summary and Analysis

Woody serves in Tokyo as part of the occupation force. He sees looks of hostility on the faces of the natives Japanese. He is a Nisei among the occupying forces. He fears he will see the same looks of hostility on the faces of his family in Hiroshima. He fears that Papa's family will feel the same hostility. Hiroshima, however, is close, and there is no reason not to visit.

Woody is surprised to find that his gift of sugar is unnecessary; he is accepted simply because he is Wakatsuki Ko's son. He is shown the gravestone erected nine years after his Papa left Japan. Ko had not communicated with his family in that time, and they did not know if he was alive or dead. They loved him so much, they erected...